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Harry R. Weber, of The Associated Press, reports the National Football League Players Association is countersuing six former and current players including Steve Atwater, Ray Crockett, Al Smith, Blaine Bishop, Carlos Emmons and Clyde Simmons, who are seeking to hold the union and NFL liable for millions of dollars they lost in an alleged fraud scheme. The players filed a lawsuit last June against the league and the union for over $20 million they lost by investing their money with a hedge fund manager that they say was endorsed by the union. Kirk Wright, the fund manager of International Management Associates, was arrested in Florida last May on federal fraud charges and is awaiting trial. According to authorities, Wright and his company collected as much as $185 million from at least 500 investors since 1997 and used false statements and documents in misleading investors to believe the value of those investments was increasing. The majority of that money is now missing. The countersuit claims the players violated a provision in union regulations that says the union does not endorse any of its registered financial advisers and is not responsible for the skill, honesty or competence of any registered adviser.

The Associated Press reports six current and former players are suing the NFL and its union are seeking to recoup $20 million they lost in an alleged fraud scheme. A judge denied a motion to dismiss, meaning the case in federal court in Atlanta can proceed. No trial date has been set. The NFL and the NFLPA contended the lawsuit filed last June should be thrown out partly because under the league's CBA, players are solely responsible for their own finances. The players listed as plaintiffs are former Denver Broncos DB Steve Atwater, former NFL CB Ray Crockett, former Houston Oilers LB Al Smith, former NFL DB Blaine Bishop, free agent LB Carlos Emmons (Giants) and former NFL DL Clyde Simmons.

The Associated Press reports a lawyer for seven current and former NFL players said he expects to settle his suit against the NFL and the players' union for recommending unfit financial advisers who caused $20 million in losses. "I would be shocked if the NFL wants this case to play out in front of a jury," attorney Jim Evangelista said yesterday during a news conference in Atlanta. "You don't want to put guys like this in front of a jury, because they are going to cream the (league)." NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the claims are unfounded and declined to comment further. As previously noted, the plaintiffs are former players S Steve Atwater, S Blaine Bishop, DE Marco Coleman, CB Ray Crockett, DE Clyde Simmons and LB Al Smith and current New York Giants LB Carlos Emmons.

Margaret Cronin Fisk, of Bloomberg News, reports seven present and former professional football players have sued the NFL and the NFLPA, claiming the organizations recommended unfit financial advisers that caused them to lose $20 million. Both organizations approved the services of Kirk Wright and Nelson Keith Bond, heads of the bankrupt hedge fun International Management Associates LLC, without doing background checks, the players said June 23 in a federal court suit in Atlanta. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the claims are unfounded and added, "We will review the matter with our attorneys and look forward to responding as directed by the court." The plaintiffs are former NFL S Steve Atwater, S Blaine Bishop, DL Marco Coleman, CB Ray Crockett, DL Clyde Simmons and LB Al Smith. New York Giants LB Carlos Emmons is the only active player involved in the lawsuit.

Larry Stone reports for Titansradio.com the Tennessee Titans have no interest in bringing back free agent S Blaine Bishop (Eagles). "Once we get past the hurt and the trauma of losing a player of that calibre, it's hard to bring them back," General Manager Floyd Reese said. Reese said bringing Bishop back would be unfair to him because he could only be a backup to new starting S Tank Williams.

Updating previous reports, the Philadelphia Daily News reports the Philadelphia Eagles saved $1 million against the cap this season and $1.5 million against the cap next season by releasing S Blaine Bishop. They will still take a cap hit for the final two-thirds of Bishop’s $1 million signing bonus.

The Trenton Times reports Philadelphia Eagles S Blaine Bishop could be packing his bags soon. Rookie S Michael Lewis looked to play well enough this season to win the starting job from Bishop, who is set to make $1 million next year.

PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports Philadelphia Eagles S Blaine Bishop (groin) took most of the snaps with the first-team defense on Friday, and appears ready to go. "Blaine Bishop’s fine. The biggest thing we were concerned about him is getting the sprints in and getting deep. He looked pretty good yesterday and he took most of the snaps today and he said he felt pretty good," said defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.

Contrary to an earlier story, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson had this to say about SS Blaine Bishop (groin) being ready to play Saturday, on Wednesday: "Not right now. He's still day-by-day and right now I'd say he's very questionable. We had him practice a little bit yesterday, but he's not there yet. It'll be today and tomorrow whether he plays or not."

PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports Philadelphia Eagles SS Blaine Bishop (groin) is expected to return to the starting lineup this week. Bishop expects that the injury will not hamper him when the Eagles begin their playoff run.

Updating previous reports, Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson said he doesn't think S Blaine Bishop (groin) will be able to play this weekend. The team will take a look at how he is on Friday and take it from there. Rookie Michael Lewis will once again get the start if Bishop can't go.

Updating previous reports, PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid said S Blaine Bishop (groin) is listed as questionable for week 14, but it will probably be a struggle for him to be ready by Sunday. As a result, it's expected rookie S Michael Lewis will get the start.

Updating previous reports, the New York Times reports Philadelphia Eagles S Blaine Bishop (ankle) missed this week’s minicamp practices because of a sprained ankle. He suffered the injury running hills doing conditioning work and it’s not believed to be serious.

The Daily Times reports Philadelphia Eagles S Rashard Cook is looking for a chance to start for the team in 2002. Coach Andy Reid says Cook will get a chance to compete for the starting strong safety job and Cook is OK with that. The problem now is he has to beat out Blaine Bishop. If Bishop is healthy, that is no easy task. If anything, Cook sees Bishop as another worthy teacher. Cook is unsigned as a restricted free agent, but he will eventually sign his one-year, $563,000 tender offer. So far Cook has not attracted any interest from other teams.

PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports free agent S Blaine Bishop (Titans) said he's continued rehabbing his foot injury and he's pretty close to being 100 percent healthy. Bishop said he sprained his Lis Franc in his foot but now he feels fresh and he's "ready to roll."

PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports free agent S Blaine Bishop (Titans) continued his visit with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday and sounded like he's enjoyed what the Eagles have presented to him thus far. He said he's hopeful of fitting in and make the team even better. Bishop said he recently had a death in his family so he's going to take a break from visits and deal with that, and then resume his visits.